VancouverConferenceHotel-OakMeetingRoomatTheWestinBayshore

Lions to hold Annual General Meeting February 1st

by admin

The Ottawa Lions will host their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on the evening of Monday, February 1, 2021 at 8:30pm EST.

Due to COVID-19, the meeting will take place virtually on Zoom. All members are invited to attend by registering through the link below.

REGISTRATION LINK: http://www.trackiereg.com/ottlagm

Registration Deadline: 11:59pm EST January 31st, 2021

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. Zoom link and any updates to the meeting will be sent out the morning of February 1st, 2021. Documents Agenda
Motion – Memberships Definition
Board Member Elections
By-law Amendments
Draft Financial Statements
(Ottawa, Canada---12 September 2020) Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club Head Coach Richard Johnston. Copyright 2020 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images

Year End Update from Richard Johnston

by adminCOVIDlinkinbio

Dear Ottawa Lions,

 

What can be said about the past year that hasn’t already been expressed. It is under frustrating circumstances that we conclude 2020 with yet another provincial lockdown that not only disrupts our training routines, but keeps many of us distant from family and friends we typically embrace over the holidays.

It is very easy to reflect on the lockdowns, cancellations, and hardships each and every one of us have experienced throughout 2020. However, we should also focus on the triumphs of adapting our world of athletics and learning on systemic matters throughout the year that will allow us to set new standards we can apply in 2021 and the years to follow.

The “groundhog days” of March, April, and May won’t be forgotten any time soon, but let’s not forget the achievements our members had prior to March 13th. Athletes from across the country travelling to compete at our home events, the relief of completing the collegiate indoor season under the wire may be minor in the grand scheme of what was to be an Olympic year, but the consistent growth of our indoor events and achievements set by the individual athletes in the club and our varsity programs are to be acknowledged.

When June rolled around and the combined efforts of our Club and the City of Ottawa, with Athletics Canada’s “Back on Track” guidelines, we eagerly returned to the Terry Fox Athletic Facility and began conducting programing in our “new normal”. At a time when athletes would traditionally be putting in preparations for the Provincial and National Club Championships we had to reset and transition into what would be an early base season for some or opportunity to salvage a bit of competition with the late start to our annual twilight series (uninterrupted since 1988). By late July the Ottawa Lions had returned all programs (Competitive, Masters, Aspire, Foundation and Youth) to a safe and structured environment that was magnified by the execution of the clubs most successful summer camp season in history.

More than 800 athletes, over 30 coaches, and in excess of 50 officials/volunteers over six twilight meets (and the Capital XC Challenge in the fall) brought youth and Olympians alike to the Terry Fox Athletic Facility, adding another major accomplishment that can be built on as we navigate the world-wide pandemic in the spring and summer of 2021.

Fall and early winter would unfortunately be riddled with interruptions and adjustments due to restrictions out of our control. Training groups continued to put in the work and remained consistent at a time where uncertainty cast an unwanted shadow over where we would be in a few months, let alone the absence of competition during the winter.

While nothing in Eastern Ontario can come close to replacing the Dome at Louis Riel, we look forward to returning in 2021 with alternative options to conduct training during the winter months. As it stands, on December 26th we entered a new province wide lockdown extending to January 23rd, 2021. This unfortunately results in the temporary closure of all venues we had recently secured for training in the new year. In addition to layering up and braving the cold outdoors more often than usual this winter, we are excited to begin training at the following hubs when the time is appropriate:

  1. Aberdeen Pavilion located in Lansdowne Park – This venue will provide a large sheltered space that extends 80m in length and 40m in width, making it a solid option for all groups to get in training Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings while offering a gathering point for distance groups to use the plowed paths and canal trail nearby.
  2. Paul-Desmarais Megadome located in Stittsville, is home to a CFL regulation football field that will serve as a hub for our competitive groups on Saturday mornings.
  3. Oz Dome located in Stittsville, is one of the regions oldest and smallest sport domes. The small indoor space will serve as temporary home for our throwers and younger training groups throughout the week.

Even with these great alternative locations, we are not content and will continue to seek training options that will reflect a familiar track and field setting for all event groups.

Thank you to all club members, coaches, officials, volunteers, staff and parents for the continued support during these past nine months. While these winter months will likely test our resolve, we can all continue to find alternatives to keep active and motivated for the spring and summer seasons. With our knowledge of how to carry out safe and competitive events, a more traditional competitive season in 2021 may be possible. Premier events such as the Tokyo Olympics, FISU Games and U20 World Championships highlight the international calendar. While on the National stage the Olympic Trials (Montreal), National Combined Event Championships (Ottawa), Legion Youth Championships (Sherbrooke), and Ottawa playing host to the 2021 ACXC Championships make for a very exciting year in the Ontario-Quebec corridor.

I encourage everyone (coaches, teammates) to check in on each other, whether it is a discussion about training or a casual conversation, we can be there to support one another in so many different ways and platforms. Our website resource page has been updated over the past couple months with a number of new off-track resources that range from nutrition to mental performance and severe injury protocol. Most resources are accessible to all members and we encourage you to reference if help is needed. (https://ottawalions.com/about-us/resources-for-your-training-life-away-from-the-track/).

Please continue to keep any eye on our club website and social media platforms for updated information on registration and how we will proceed if there are any changes to the lockdown.

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy New Year!

 

Richard Johnston

OTTAWA, ON -- 07 July 2018: Tim Nedow throws in the shot put to wTim Nedow throws in the shot put to win for a sixth consecutive titlein for a sixth consecutive title at the 2018 Athletics Canada National Track and Field Championships held at the Terry Fox Athletics Facility in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images).

By the numbers: The best of 2020

by linkinbioStatistics

As we get set to usher in a new year, we pause to look back on the year that was. While the number of performances this year was certainly hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic, there were still many great performances to celebrate. Using the IAAF Scoring Tables of Athletics for both indoor and outdoor competition, we have ranked the top 20 performances of 2020 below.

Despite a pandemic shortened season that saw Tim Nedow compete just twice indoors, the 2019 World finalist in the shot put again topped the men’s list with an impressive 1175 points. Nedow, who has now topped the list in all four iterations we have prepared did so on the strength of his 20.90 metre heave to win the Meyo Invitational in South Bend, Indiana back in February. The only other male to crack the 1100 point barrier was 800 metre runner Stephen Evans. The former USports champion ran a indoor personal best of one minute and 49.24 seconds in Boston, to notch 1103 points.

On the women’s side, Melissa Bishop-Nriagu took top spot with 1170 points thanks to a two minute and 0.98 second clocking at an indoor race at Boston University, 15 points clear of Shona McCulloch who posted an impressive 9:31.95 clocking for 3000 metres at an indoor race in Seattle. Bishop-Nriagu ended up posting three of the top six performances this year with a run of 2:39.96i for one kilometre (1130 points) and culminated her season with a 1:28.02 clocking over 600 metres, worth 1098 points, to set a new Twilight Meet record.

Two other women surpassed 1100 points this season. Maeliss Trapeau, reached 1106 points with a new 800 metre personal best 2:03.20, while Lauren Gale set a new indoor best for 400 metres with a time of 53.48 seconds to win the Mountain West Conference title. Gale’s performance was worth 1104 points according to the tables.

As was done for past seasons, athletes could only be listed once per event, but were able to appear across multiple events. Also, events run at the Louis-Riel Dome were scored using the outdoor tables.

Men

1. Tim Nedow, Shot Put, 20.90(i) – 1175 points
2. Stephen Evans, 800m, 1:49.24(i) – 1103 points
3. Farah Abdulkarim, 10000m, 28:27.34 – 1090 points
4. Owen Day, 800m, 1:50.77(i) – 1058 points
5. Sebastian Saville, 800m, 1:51.04 – 1050 points
6. Owen Day, Mile, 4:06.86(i) – 1043 points
7. Sebastian Saville, 600m, 1:18.69 – 1004 points
8. Stephen Evans, 600m, 1:18.82 – 999 points
9. Farah Abdulkarim, 3000m, 8:13.68(i) – 998 points
10. Phillip Frank, Heptathlon, 5259(i) – 982 points
11. Sebastian Saville, 1000m, 2:27.76(i) – 969 points
12. Leewinchell Jean, 60m Hurdles, 8.24 – 966 points
13. Ryan Thomsen, Heptathlon, 5157(i) – 961 points
14. Oluwasegun Makinde, 60m Hurdles, 8.26 – 960 points
15. Phillip Frank, 60m, 6.99 – 944 points
16. Phillip Frank, 60m Hurdles, 8.34(i) – 936 points
17. Quinn Lyness, 500m, 1:05.34(i) – 934 points
18. Farah Abdulkarim, 5000m, 14:32.86(i) – 932 points
19. Quinn Lyness, 600m, 1:20.79 – 925 points
20. Ryan Thomsen, High Jump, 1.99(i) – 905 points

Women

1. Melissa Bishop-Nriagu, 800m, 2:00.98(i) – 1170 points
2. Shona McCulloch, 3000m, 9:31.95(i) – 1155 points
3. Melissa Bishop-Nriagu, 1000m, 2:39.96(i) – 1130 points
4. Maeliss Trapeau, 800m, 2:03.20 – 1106 points
5. Lauren Gale, 400m, 53.48(i) – 1104 points
6. Melissa Bishop-Nriagu, 600m, 1:28.02 – 1098 points
7. Farah Jacques, 60m Hurdles, 8.31(i) – 1091 points
8. Lauren Gale, 200m, 24.16(i) – 1068 points
9. Maeliss Trapeau, 600m, 1:31.19(i) – 1066 points
10. Madison Clarke, 600m, 1:30.59(i) – 1057 points
11. Madison Clarke, 1000m, 2:47.05(i) – 1043 points
12. Farah Jacques, 60m, 7.55(i) – 1035 points
13. Sharelle Samuel, 400m, 55.35(i) – 1034 points
14. Madison Clarke, 800m, 2:09.06 – 1006 points
15. Sharelle Samuel, 200m, 24.88(i) – 1003 points
16. Sydney Smith, 600m, 1:33.29(i) – 1001 points
17. Madison Clarke, 1500m, 4:29.19(i) – 998 points
18. Madison Clarke, Rebecca Brennan, Sydney Smith, Marie-Eve Dahms, 4x400m, 3:50.31(i) – 997 points
19. Maeliss Trapeau, 400m, 55.59 – 991 points
20. Alexandra Telford, 300m, 39.39 – 990 points

happy_holidays

Happy Holidays to the Lions Pride!

by linkinbio

Dear members of the pride,

We wish the circumstances were different. We wish we could connect with our friends and family via hugs rather than via Zoom. But most importantly, we wish good health to all we know.

This holiday season we would like to give thanks to our friends and family who have helped us navigate the many unforeseen ups and downs the year 2020 has brought our way.

Thank you to the athletes for your ability to adapt and your never ending commitment to the sport we love.

Thank you to the parents and volunteers for your continual support on and off the track.

Thank you to the coaches for your leadership and the countless revisions to the micro cycles, the macro cycles, and the yearly training plan, that was thrown out the window on more than one occasion.

Thank you to the staff for always finding solutions to the series of problems we never knew would exist. Your efforts have certainly kept us on track and moving forward.

This year has continually forced us to improvise and adapt, but like we have always done, we will continue to overcome.

From our family to yours, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!

Sincerely,

Your Ottawa Lions family

MRR_1522-web

Lions working hard to find winter home

by COVIDlinkinbioLocal

By Martin Cleary

HIGH ACHIEVERS: Stay-Safe Edition

As summer rolled into fall and winter appeared on the horizon, elite shot putter and 2021 Olympic hopeful Tim Nedow started to get concerned about where he would train indoors. Louis Riel Dome, the indoor training base for the Ottawa Lions for six months of the year, has been closed for several months to external users because of restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s uncertain when it will reopen.

For the second time in nine months, COVID-19 has messed up training schedules for the largest athletics club in Canada. The pandemic shut Louis Riel in March and the outdoor Terry Fox Athletic Facility only opened June 18. In the past few months, Richard Johnston, the club’s new head coach/director, has been working feverishly to find indoor training venues, after a five-month, restricted-capacity outdoor season with five Twilight meets.

“I was getting a little worried,” said Nedow, who is 20 centimetres shy of the automatic Olympic qualifying standard of 21.10m. “I could have gone to Brockville (hometown), but I wasn’t sure they would allow me in. “I saw there were other athletes with similar problems and they got it straightened out. I had a feeling all would work out.” Nedow’s gut instinct was good as Johnston is slowly starting to secure training spots.

Nedow, who is ranked 12th in the world, has been able to train at the OZ Dome, an indoor soccer venue in Kanata. Johnston has secured three, two-hour, weekday sessions plus Saturdays for the club’s throwing athletes. “It has been great. They have been so great to me,” Nedow said about the OZ Dome staff. “They’re very friendly and super accommodating.” After his 90-minute practice 3x a week, he stores his throwing circle at the Dome.

Johnston has tried a variety of approaches to return to renting the Louis Riel Dome, but the Conseil des ecoles publiques de l’Est de L’Ontario, the owner and operator, has kept the doors closed to the public. The City of Ottawa normally closes the Terry Fox Athletic Facility at the end of October, but the Lions got a break as the training venue remained open through November because of good weather. There are nearby training facilities – uOttawa Dome, Royal Military College in Kingston, Abilities Centre in Whitby, Variety Village in Oshawa, McGill University – but they may closed or not taking outside groups.

“I’m not saying I’m giving up hope,” Johnston said in an interview. “I’ve sent a long email to the Dome and school board with letters from Olympians. We’re trying every angle and pulling on the heart strings. There are hundreds of hockey rinks out there, but only one track and field facility designed for our athletes.”

The Louis Riel Dome is home to the only indoor 400-metre track in Canada and one of two in North America. Johnson has been able to rent the Carleton University Fieldhouse for a 4-hour time block on Saturday mornings from the end of November until Dec. 19, but the club will lose that spot when the university resumes in January.

“We’re chasing as many non-traditional venues as possible,” added Johnston, who is in negotiations with the City of Ottawa to rent the Aberdeen Pavilion to give the speed athletes a temporary home. The club would put down three strips of Mondo artificial surface under the pavilion’s heat lamps for the sprinters. “It’s not insulated and not in prime condition, but we hope to use it three days a week,” he said.

“The Aberdeen Pavilion could be the home base for the distance runners. They could use the canal paths as they are salted and cleared,” added Johnston, who is short one venue for the jumpers. “I’ve even tried industrial warehouses. The University of Windsor renovated its indoor track two years ago and moved into a long industrial warehouse. They got through the season,” Johnston said.

“Everyone is waiting for good news. Obviously, everyone is a little frustrated. We want to provide athletes with something. But we’re not in a situation where we were in March with nothing.”

Terry Fox Snow Covered

UPDATE: Terry Fox Athletic Facility Closure

by adminlinkinbio

Dear members,

 

As of Tuesday, November 24, 2020 the City of Ottawa has decided to close the Terry Fox Athletic Facility due to the recent swing in weather conditions affecting facility safety. Despite our best efforts to keep the venue accessible throughout the month we will unfortunately have to adjust the final four days of training in November.

Competitive members who upgraded their fall memberships will be permitted to train in the weight rooms located in the North Building after confirming a time slot with Richard Johnston. Please note that spaces are very limited.

Competitive members will also be able to train during our newly acquired time slots at the Carleton Fieldhouse on Saturday mornings. Time slots must be confirmed with Richard Johnston, once again space and time in the Fieldhouse will be limited.

Youth, Foundation, and Aspire members will be able to meet and carry out alternate practices outside the Terry Fox Athletic Facility for the remaining days left in your November programing.

  • Athletes are reminded to bring their led wrap bands (replacements are not available).

Daily health screening is still required prior to each practice. Washrooms will be available at the North building for athletes.

 

Sincerely,

Richard Johnston
Executive Director

analysis blackboard board bubble

Lions looking for new Directors and Committee Members

by admin

Are you passionate track and field? Maybe you get excited by good governance. If you have a desire to give back to the community, the Ottawa Lions has some opportunities for you.

The Board of Directors is currently accepting applications to join their leadership of the organization. If you’re not prepared to join the Board, there are also multiple opportunities available to join one of three sub-committees.

Board of Directors

For more information about joining the Board as a Director at Large or Athletes Representative, please check out the information page.

Sub-committees

For more information about serving on the governance, fundraising and partnership, or alumni committee, please check out the information page.

Notice-800x500_c.jpeg

Notice to members

by admin

Dear Members,

The Ottawa Lions Board of Directors acknowledges the recent statement by the Edmonton Police Service (included below) regarding the arrest of and charges against Ken Porter.

Our Club and Board are committed to encouraging a supportive sport environment and respectful workplace that is free of all forms of harassment, abuse and sexual misconduct.

We understand that this has been and continues to be very difficult for some of our members and alumni. A list of local mental health resources has been added to our website. We will continue to work collaboratively with key partners to support a safe sport environment.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Dumoulin
President
Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club

Former Edmonton track coach charged with historical sex offences

For Immediate Release: 10-Nov-2020 @ 5:27 PM
MRU #: SA20R008

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested and charged a 72-year-old Ottawa man in connection to several alleged historical sex offences involving teen athletes in the mid-1970s and early 1980s.

It is alleged that between 1976 and 1980, Kenneth Thomas Porter, 72, who was a coach with the Edmonton Olympic Track and Field Club, sexually assaulted five underage teen males, while under his supervision.

The incidents are alleged to have occurred during track meets held in Calgary and Edmonton, during that time period. Edmonton Police Service Sexual Assault investigators formally launched an investigation into the allegations surrounding Porter in April 2019.

Kenneth Thomas Porter, 72, of Ottawa, arrived in Edmonton yesterday, and was charged at EPS Headquarters with indecent assault on a male (x5) and gross indecency (x5), charges as laid out in the Criminal Code, at that time.

Porter has since been released on a promise to appear. He is next scheduled to appear in an Edmonton court on Dec. 7, 2020.

Natacha Dupuis

Lest we forget

by linkinbioNational

Every year on November 11, Canadians pause in a moment of silence to honour and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember the more than 2,300,000 Canadians who have served throughout our nation’s history and the more than 118,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Among the numerous men and women to serve our country is retired master corporal Natacha Dupuis, a runner in our masters program. Dupuis joined the reserves and enlisted with the Armoured Corp as a tanker at the age of 18. After completing basic training in Montreal and the Crewman course in Valcartier, Dupuis headed west where she joined the the British Columbia Regiment, completing an advanced reconnaissance course. Years later, she joined the Regular Force Leopard tank and Coyote Gunner/Driver training course.

Dupuis served overseas on three occassions, once in Bosnia as well as two tours in Afghanistan. In March 2009, during her second tour in Afghanistan, Dupuis was leading an armoured patrol in the Shah Wali Kot district, in the northern part of Kandahar province, when an improvised explosive device detonated beneath one of the six vehicles in her convoy. Two of her brothers in arms were killed in the blast and three others were seriously injured.

The painful experience weighed heavily on Dupuis during the remaining two months of her tour. Upon returning home, Dupuis described herself as being “in tatters, constantly reliving the incident, and [she] had nightmares, panic attaches, flashbacks, etc.” It was then she was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Pulling herself back up, she put into practice several tools she had accumulated, but the one she found helped the most was physical exercise.

Through physical exercise, Dupuis found her way to the sport of athletics where she was won the sprinting treble at the 2017 Invictus Games, taking home gold in the 100, 200, and 400 metre events. In addition Dupuis has also represented Canada at the World Masters Athletics Championships in 2018 where she helped the red and white to a silver in the 4×100 metres.

 

 

 

(Ottawa, Canada---12 September 2020) Ottawa Lions Track and Field Club Head Coach Richard Johnston. Copyright 2020 Sean Burges / Mundo Sport Images

November 10th Update from Executive Director

by adminCOVIDlinkinbio

Hello Lions,

Here is another update regarding the status of our current programing and training options.

Outdoor extension & COVDI-19 Safety Measures

As mentioned in the October 26th notice the City of Ottawa has agreed to keep their doors open for club use into late November pending a safe training environment. With the cooler weather comes the threat of frost, snow and icy conditions with this concern the city will be running on the following schedule.

Monday-Thursday – 1:00pm-8:00pm (Evening training programs will go unchanged)

Friday – Closed

Saturday – 8:00am-3:00pm (Aspire, Foundation, Youth programs will remain unchanged but I do recommend  (if scheduled permit) competitive athletes consider training in the afternoon under warmer conditions and safe track surface).

Sunday – Closed

Physical distancing inside and outside the Terry Fox Athletic Facility is a must, casual on lookers outside the facility cannot tell the difference between siblings or roommates. During practice we ask that even those who live in close proximity keep the 2m in mind.

At this time, City of Ottawa run venues are to remain “status quo” regarding the limitations that were imposed during the modified stage 2. Gatherings of 25 must be maintained inside and outside the facility at all times. Indoor workout space will also remain closed.

25 in the Main Stadium

25 in the North Field

25 in the West Field

Clear separation of groups in the park so that we do not exceed 25 in one area.

Take the extra couple seconds to sanitize coming into the facility and when leaving.

Everyone has done a great job with their masks when entering Terry Fox but this is a reminder that they are needed when entering the washrooms.

Indoors

I understand that all members are anxiously awaiting news on indoor venues and I ask that you remain patient. COVID has changed the landscape of how all venues and facility managers are able to operate. When indoor plans are finalized the setting may look different, the training options may be limited, the numbers will certainly be restricted and of course the safety of our athletes and members if paramount.

Cross Country Updates

The Eastern Ontario Cross Country Championships are set!

Unfortunately, not in the location we had hoped. The goal to provide a provincial caliber event (that we know is possible here in Ottawa) was met with unexpected delays in obtaining a permit.

This weekend (November 15th) the Athletics Ontario Championships will be contested across three regional events (Eastern, Central and Western Championships)

The Eastern Championships will be taking place just outside of Brockville at Lover Beverly Lake Park.

The event will be contested in the same manner as the event we hosting in early October with corrals of 10 athletes starting at a time and based on seeds. Race distances are offered for the following

U14 – 2km

U16/Masters – 4km

U18 – 6km

U20/Open – 8km

Event registration has opened and can be completed here, https://www.trackie.com/online-registration/register/2020-eastern-ontario-xc-championships/467860/.

Due to COVID-19 there are strict regulations in place for arrival/departure and spectators I unfortunately have to state that the Ottawa Lions will not be responsible for logistical transportation to this event as bus travel and car-pooling outside your immediate family/roommate scenario is not advised. Athletes will be responsible to arrange travel on their own.

  • Maintaining physical distancing at all times. Please respect this guideline and any event management who deem your proximity is too close.
  • Warm-ups are not to be done on the course and report to the start line only 15min before their scheduled start time.
  • Athletes are aske to leave the premises as soon as their race has concluded.
  • Team tents are discouraged and storage of bags, gear can be left in the vehicle you travel in.

Coaches and spectators must register for the event as well and wear a mask at all times. If you do not register you will not be allowed on the premises.

We have done a lot of work on the trials this fall and I know the Lions can have a massive turnout for the championship this weekend.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

The constantly changing site for the meet has without a doubt been frustrating but I am confident in the consistency and hard work all our training groups have laid down over the past few months.

Halloween

Great turn-out on Saturday October 31st. Ninjas, minions, bumble bees racing around the track had some Lion coaches and athletes going bananas. Highlighting the day outside some great workouts we want to applaud the following 3 costumes and ask that you come pick up your prize at practice later this week.

Mini-Coach Zach Q’s (pre or current COVID style?)

Shot putting hot dog (I am sure he put a little extra mustard on each throw).

Harry Potter the distance runner (completed his entire workout without his broom).

The uncertainty and constantly changing environment due to COVID has not done us any favors, we have all made major changes to our lives and routines. This has extended to the sport we love, the sport we go to for an outlet, a challenge and the opportunity to pursue a dream. While the winter months are going to pose another challenge, we can be there to support each other, just as we do at each practice, each meet and in our day to day lives. Take the time to check in on each other, teammates, coaches, officials alike, the comradery we have on at the track can become a life long support system.

Please take care and keep your winter gear close. All the best to the Ottawa Lions intending to compete at this weekend Eastern Ontario Championships.

Richard